Replying to press questions after the meeting, Zagoritis referred to
the Costas Koukodimos case, merely noting that the Parliament group
secretary (Antonis Tragakis) is responsible for the issue. "The
government's position is known and specific."

Asked if New Democracy was in a state of "electoral readiness",
Zagoritis said, adding: "The new election law passed yesterday, don't
confuse it with readiness."

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos on Wednesday stressed
that Greece would not rush to make a decision regarding the future
status of Kosovo but will carefully examine all parameters involved.

At the same time, the spokesman stressed the need for a unified EU
stance on what he called a "European issue par excellence".

He clarified, however, that a unified stance did not mean imposing one
point of view on other EU member-states but taking into account the
concerns and misgivings of the other member-states.

Koumoutsakos additionally stressed that it was important to take action
to ensure regional stability and that this was Greece's unswerving
position.

Commenting on the upcoming presidential elections in Serbia next
Sunday, the spokesman said Serbia needed to make tangible progress in
its course toward the EU and said the last decision of the EU General
Affairs Council indicating the desire of European leaders for Serbia to
join the 'European family' was a "positive message for the Serb
people".